‘Georgian Property Oscar’ awarded to Frome’s Silk Mill

The restoration of the Silk Mill in Frome has been honoured in this year’s ‘Georgian Property Oscars’.

It was commended in the Georgian Group Architectural Awards 2014 in the ‘Re-use of a Georgian Building’ category for work by Nash Partnership for Frome Silk Mill Ltd.

The awards ceremony, which took place at Christies in London, heard how the building was a working textile mill until it closed in 1926, and then fell into disrepair. It was officially at risk when bought by the current owners in 2005. Work has included restoration of the roof, reusing much of the slate and all the original trusses, plus extensive external masonry repairs, and beam and joist renovations. Volunteers built a spiral staircase, laid the floors and replaced each of the 72 windows like-for-like. 22 studios were created and are now occupied by 28 local artists and craftsmen.

The Silk Mill has been owned by the Moore family 2005 who have transformed the once derelict building. Dickon Moore said, “The Mill was in a very bad state of repair when we bought it and we have taken a lot of care and consideration into restoring and converting it. We recognise that this was possible because of the creative place that Frome is.”

The Georgian Group Architectural Awards are sponsored by Savills, the global real estate services provider, and recognise those who have shown the vision and commitment to restore and recreate Georgian buildings and landscapes across the United Kingdom.

Crispin Holborow of Savills’ country department and a member of the judging panel said, “This year’s winning entries demonstrate the painstaking research and attention to detail that it takes to ensure the future of Britain’s important and historic Georgian buildings. Buildings that without the enormous commitment of their owners, might have fallen into disrepair.

“In this year, the 300th anniversary of the Georgian era, it is clear that this style of architecture is as popular as ever – exemplified by the creative interpretation of Georgian principles in the new buildings categories and the novel ways of using Georgian buildings in the reuse and landscape categories.”

Other shortlisted properties included the original entrance lodge to Highclere Castle, the setting for Downton Abbey.